2013 Ride BMX NORA Cup Ramp Rider of the Year contenders

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NORA Cup Ramp Rider of the Year 2013 contenders

This year, Ride BMX's NORA Cup Ramp Rider of the Year is a toss-up between five nominees, all of whom have competed in BMX Park events at X Games in 2013. Those riders include Chase Hawk, Daniel Sandoval, Dennis Enarson, Drew Bezanson and Pat Casey. What follows is an in-depth analysis of the five nominees' riding and accomplishments in the 2012 calendar year.

This year, Ride BMX's NORA Cup Ramp Rider of the Year is a toss-up between five nominees, all of whom have competed in BMX Park events at X Games in 2013. Those riders include Chase Hawk, Daniel Sandoval, Dennis Enarson, Drew Bezanson and Pat Casey. What follows is an in-depth analysis of the five nominees' riding and accomplishments in the 2012 calendar year.

Brett Wilhelm/ESPN

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Chase Hawk

No stranger to the NORA Cup Ramp Rider of the Year nomination, Chase Hawk finds himself in a unique position. In the past calendar year, he's again proven that he's much more than just a ramp or dirt rider. In fact, his section in Cult's "Talk Is Cheap" showcases some of his best street riding to date.

No stranger to the NORA Cup Ramp Rider of the Year nomination, Chase Hawk finds himself in a unique position. In the past calendar year, he's again proven that he's much more than just a ramp or dirt rider. In fact, his section in Cult's "Talk Is Cheap" showcases some of his best street riding to date.

Brett Wilhelm/ESPN

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Chase Hawk

Hawk competed in BMX Park at international X Games events in 2013, and his effortless approach to speed and style, countered by his ability to decipher lines on new courses, definitely put him in the running for 2013's NORA Cup Ramp Rider of the Year.

Hawk competed in BMX Park at international X Games events in 2013, and his effortless approach to speed and style, countered by his ability to decipher lines on new courses, definitely put him in the running for 2013's NORA Cup Ramp Rider of the Year.

Zak Noyle/Red Bull Content Pool

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Daniel Sandoval

This is Daniel Sandoval's first nomination for Ramp Rider of the Year. Sandoval rode hard all year long in competitions while releasing groundbreaking video parts throughout the year.

This is Daniel Sandoval's first nomination for Ramp Rider of the Year. Sandoval rode hard all year long in competitions while releasing groundbreaking video parts throughout the year.

Justin Kosman/Red Bull Content Pool

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Daniel Sandoval

Sandoval's riding combines unique and original lip-trick combinations with never-before-seen box-jump variations (much like Mark Webb and Alex Coleborn, his teammates on Total BMX). Sandoval can also lay claim to several firsts, including the first-ever double tailwhip 720 and tailwhip to barspin 720. "I just want to push the limits in the BMX world and show people that you can extend the limits," he says.

Sandoval's riding combines unique and original lip-trick combinations with never-before-seen box-jump variations (much like Mark Webb and Alex Coleborn, his teammates on Total BMX). Sandoval can also lay claim to several firsts, including the first-ever double tailwhip 720 and tailwhip to barspin 720. "I just want to push the limits in the BMX world and show people that you can extend the limits," he says.

Brett Wilhelm/ESPN

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Dennis Enarson

In the realm of BMX ramp riding -- well, any riding, for that matter -- Dennis Enarson is one of the rare BMXers who can excel without even seeming to try. He has a natural ability to adapt, go big and ride away clean, even if that's from a can can footjam nosepick to fakie on an 11-foot transition.

In the realm of BMX ramp riding -- well, any riding, for that matter -- Dennis Enarson is one of the rare BMXers who can excel without even seeming to try. He has a natural ability to adapt, go big and ride away clean, even if that's from a can can footjam nosepick to fakie on an 11-foot transition.

Cody York/ESPN Action Sports

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Dennis Enarson

At X Games Foz do Iguau, Dennis Enarson was invited to ride BMX Park. Near the end of the final, Enarson hung up an air in a bowl and was thrown to the flat bottom of the Park course. He suffered a broken radius bone in his wrist and was forced to withdraw from X Games Barcelona and Munich. As for NORA, injuries don't factor into ballot counting.

At X Games Foz do Iguau, Dennis Enarson was invited to ride BMX Park. Near the end of the final, Enarson hung up an air in a bowl and was thrown to the flat bottom of the Park course. He suffered a broken radius bone in his wrist and was forced to withdraw from X Games Barcelona and Munich. As for NORA, injuries don't factor into ballot counting.

Red Bull Content Pool

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Drew Bezanson

Drew Bezanson is no stranger to the NORA Cup nomination for Ramp Rider of the Year. And it's well deserved. Some of Bezanson's video parts from earlier in the year upped the ante on what was possible on a BMX bike, including his Joyride 150 section released in mid-June 2013. If you haven't already seen it, go watch it now.

Drew Bezanson is no stranger to the NORA Cup nomination for Ramp Rider of the Year. And it's well deserved. Some of Bezanson's video parts from earlier in the year upped the ante on what was possible on a BMX bike, including his Joyride 150 section released in mid-June 2013. If you haven't already seen it, go watch it now.

Rutger Pauw/Red Bull Content Pool

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Drew Bezanson

Bezanson's approach to ramp riding is a mixture of motocross influence and heavy emphasis on pedaling. He's already been atop the Ramp Rider of the Year podium at past NORA Cup Awards, and there's a good chance that could happen again.

Bezanson's approach to ramp riding is a mixture of motocross influence and heavy emphasis on pedaling. He's already been atop the Ramp Rider of the Year podium at past NORA Cup Awards, and there's a good chance that could happen again.

Brett Wilhelm/ESPN

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Pat Casey

Hailing from Yorba Linda, Calif., Pat Casey is a new arrival on the nominee list for NORA Cup Ramp Rider of the Year. Casey competed all year long on the X Games circuit and finished with promising results in Brazil, Spain and Germany.

Hailing from Yorba Linda, Calif., Pat Casey is a new arrival on the nominee list for NORA Cup Ramp Rider of the Year. Casey competed all year long on the X Games circuit and finished with promising results in Brazil, Spain and Germany.

Brett Wilhelm/ESPN

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Pat Casey

The 2013 NORA Cup Awards show travels to Austin, Texas, and is being hosted at Emo's Austin at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20.

The 2013 NORA Cup Awards show travels to Austin, Texas, and is being hosted at Emo's Austin at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20.